Single Herb Glossary

Fu Ling 茯苓

Pharmaceutical name	Poria Poria cocos fungus sclerotium of tuckahoe, China root, hoelen, Indian bread
Category	Drain Damp
Key Properties	Tonifies the Spleen Eliminates dampness Calms the Heart spirit
Properties	Sweet Bland Neutral
Tropism	HT, SP, KD, LU
Actions & Indications	1) Promotes Urination 2) Strengthens the Spleen, Harmonizes Middle Burner 3) Strengthens the Spleen, Transforms Phlegm 4) Quiets the Heart & Calms the Spirit
Dosages	9-15 g
Contraindications (TCM)	Caution with yin deficiency, sunken Spleen qi, or cold from deficiency with spermatorrhea.
Contraindications (Western)
Chemical Composition	Pachymose, pachyman, pachymaran, tumulosic acid, poriaic acid A, B, C
Pharmacological Effects	• Diuretic: in one study, a 70% alcohol extract (alcohol was removed prior to administration) associated with significant increase in urine output in healthy rabbits; in another study, intravenous injection of water extract showed no diuretic effect in dogs or mice • Antineoplastic: a derivative of pachyman inhibits cancer cell activity in mice with sarcoma • Sedative: intraperitoneal injection of decoction of Fu Shen (Poria Paradicis) had mild sedative effect in mice previously dosed with or without caffeine • Antibiotic: water decoction has bacteriostatic effect on S. aureus, E. coli, and Bacillus proteus, alcohol-extracted form has bactericidal effect against leptospira
Herb-Drug Interactions	• Ethanol: in an in vitro study, a preparation including Fu Ling, Ren Shen (Radix Ginseng), Yuan Zhi (Radix Polygalae Tenufoliae), and Shi Chang Pu (Rhizoma Acori) found to reduce ethanol-induced impairment of memory registration; also ameliorated scopolamine-induced memory registration deficit; these results suggest that this herbal preparation ameliorates impairment effect of ethanol on learning and memory processes • Diuretics: prudent to avoid combination of herbs and drugs that exert diuretic effects, as there may be additive or synergistic effects. Combination therapy may lead to excessive loss of fluid and electrolytes
Classical Formula(s)	Bao He Wan (Preserve Harmony Pill) 保和丸 Ban Xia Hou Po Tang (Pinellia & Magnolia Bark Decoction) 半夏厚朴湯 Da Qin Jiao Tang (Major Large Gentian Decoction) 大秦艽湯 Di Huang Yin Zi (Rehmannia Drink) 地黃飲子 Di Tan Tang (Scour Out Phlegm Decoction) 滌痰湯 Fang Ji Fu Ling Tang (Stephania and Poria Decoction) 防己茯苓湯 Gan Cao Gan Jiang Fu Ling Bai Zhu Tang (Licorice, Ginger, Poria and Atractylodis Macrocephalae Decoction) 甘草乾薑茯苓白朮湯 Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang (Angelica Pubescens and Sang-Ji-Sheng Decoction)獨活寄生湯 Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan (Cinnamon Twig and Poria Pill) 桂枝茯苓丸 Hui Yang Jiu Ji Tang (Restore and Revive the Yang Decoction) 回陽救急湯 Ling Gan Wu Wei Jiang Xin Tang (Poria, Licorice, Schisandra, Ginger & Asarium Decoction)苓甘五味薑辛湯 Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six-ingredient pill with rehmannia) 六味地黃丸 Nuan Gan Jian (Warm the Liver Decoction) 暖肝煎 Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan (Seven treasure special pill for beautiful whiskers) 七寶美髯丸 Qi Ge San (Open up the Diaphragm Powder) (deleted chu tou kang) 啟膈散（減杵頭糠） Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan (Clear the Qi and transform Phlegm Pill) 清氣化痰湯 Ren Shen Bai Du San (Gingseng Powder to Over come Pathogenic Influences) 人參敗毒散 Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang (Ginseng decoction to nourish luxuriance) 人參養榮湯 (人参养荣汤) Shen Ling Bai Zhu San (Ginsing, poria and white atractylodes powder) 蔘苓白朮散 Shen Qi Wan (Kidney Qi pill) 金櫃腎氣丸 (金柜肾气丸) Shi Pi Yin (Bolster the Spleen Decoction) 實脾飲 Shi Wei Bai Du San (Ten-Ingredient Powder to Overcome Toxicity) (deleted ying pi) 十味敗毒散（減櫻皮） Si Jun zi tang (Four-gentlemen decoction) (4 herbs) 四君子湯 Suan Zao Ren Tang (Sour Jujube Decoction) 酸棗仁湯 (酸枣仁汤) Tuo Li Xiao Du Yin (Support the Interior and Eliminate Toxin Drink) 托裡消毒飲 Wu Ling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria) 五苓散 Xiang Fu Xuan Fu Hua Tang (Cyperus and Inula Decoction) 香附旋覆花湯 Zhen Wu Tang (Black Turtle Decoction; True Warrior Decoction) 真武湯 (真武汤) Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan (Unripe Bitter Orange Pill to Gide Out Stagnation) 枳實導滯丸 Zhi Shi Xiao Pi Wan (Immature Bitter Orange Pill to Reduce Focal Distention) 枳實消痞丸 Zhu Ling Tang (Polyporus Decoction) 豬苓湯 (猪苓汤) Xiao Yao San (Rambling Powder) 逍遙散 (逍遥散) Jia Wei Xiao Yao San (Modified Rambling Powder)加味逍遙散 Ba Wei Dai Xia Fang (Eight-Ingredient Formula for Vaginal Discharge) 八味帶下方 Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan (Eight Immortal Pill for Longevity) 八仙長壽丸 Ba Zhen Yi Mu Wan (Eight Treasure Pill to Benefit Mothers) 八珍益母丸 Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang(Pinellia, White Atractylodes & Gastrodia Decoction) 半夏白朮天麻湯 Bei Mu Gua Lou San (Frittilaria & Trichosanthes Fruit Powder) 貝母瓜蔞散 Bu Dai Wan(Cloth Sack Pill) 布袋丸 Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang (Bupleurum plus Dragon Bone and Oyster Shell Decoction) (delete qian dan) 柴胡加龍骨牡蠣湯（減鉛丹） Dang Gui Shao Yao San (Tangkuei and Peony Powder) 當歸芍藥散 Dao Tan Tang (Guide Out Phlegm Decoction) 導痰湯 Ding Xian Wan (delete Zhu Sha)(Arrest Seizures Pill) 定涎丸（減硃砂） Ding Zhi Wan (Settle the Emotions Pill) 定志丸 Er Chen Tang (Two Aged Decoction) 二陳湯 Fu Ling Wan (Poria Pill) 茯苓丸 Ge Hua Jie Cheng San (Kudzu Flower Powder to Relieve Hangovers) 葛花解酲散 Gui Ling Gan Lu Yin (Cinnamon and Poria Sweet Dew Drink) 桂苓甘露飲 Gui Pi Tang (Restore the spleen decoction) 歸脾湯 (归脾汤) Hou Po Wen Zhong Tang (Magnolia Bark Decoction for Warming the Middle) 厚朴温中湯 Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San (Agastache powder to Rectify the Qi) 藿香正氣散 (藿香正气散) Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan (Golden coffer Kidney Qi Pill) 濟生腎氣丸 (济生肾气丸) Jian Pi Wan (Strenghten the Spleen Pill) 健脾丸 Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang (Poria, Cinnamon Twig, Atractylodis Macrocephalae, and Licorice Decoction) 苓桂朮甘湯 Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang (Raise the Yang and Augment the Stomach Decoction) 升陽益胃湯 Shi Quan Da Bu Tang (All-inclusive great tonifying decoction) 十全大補湯 (十全大补汤) Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan (Emperor of Heavens Special Pill to Tonify the HT) 天王補心丹 (天王补心丹) Wen Dan Tang (Warm Gallbladder Decoction) 溫膽湯 (温胆汤) Wu Ji San (Five-accumula-tion powder) 五积散 Xing Su San (Apricot Kernel and Perilla Leaf Powder) 杏蘇散 (杏苏散) Yu Quan Wan (Jade Spring Pill) 玉泉丸 Zhong Man Fen Xiao Wan (Separate and Reduce Fullness in the Middle Pill) 中滿分消丸 Zhu Jing Wan (Preserve Vistas Pill) 駐景丸 Ba Zhen Tang (Eight-Treasure decoction) 八珍湯

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This information is a reference tool for Chinese herbal studies. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Please consult a primary health professional if you require health advisory.